Familiar face returns to Ottawa; Colin Falvey signs with Fury FC

OTTAWA - Ottawa Fury FC is bringing another familiar face back in the fold with the addition of Irish defender Colin Falvey, the club announced Tuesday, pending league and federation approval. The hard-nosed centre back was a fan-favourite during the 2015 season where Falvey helped Ottawa claim a Fall Season Championship and a trip to the Soccer Bowl.

“We felt that Falvey left Ottawa on a positive note and it was the right time to bring him back,” said Fury FC General Manager Julian de Guzman. “His leadership, experience and qualities will be great addition to our back line, our club and for this city.”

Falvey spent the past two seasons in Indianapolis where he captained Indy Eleven to an undefeated record en route to the 2016 Spring Season Championship reaching the Soccer Bowl for a second straight year. In two seasons with ‘The Boys in Blue’, Falvey played in 55 contests and would lead the league in blocked shots in 2017.

“Falvey is a leader, a player with the heart and passion we are looking for this club,” explained Fury FC Head Coach Nikola Popovic. “His technical and tactical abilities give him the true profile of what we want in a centre back for this team to be successful.”

The native of Cork, Ireland was Ottawa’s ironman in 2015 featuring in every match of the season and helping Fury FC shatter league records for longest shutout streak (648 minutes) and most shutouts in a season (14) en route to the Fall Season Championship and a trip to the Soccer Bowl. Falvey was one of the leaders on and off the field for the club and brings over 300 games of experiences and a winning mentality back to the nation’s capital.

Prior to his time with Ottawa and Indy, Falvey spent five seasons with the USL’s Charleston Battery, where the 6-foot-1 defender quickly became known as the “Charleston Rock” for his hard-nosed style of play. In Charleston, he won two USL Pro championships and was named Defender of the Year in 2013. Since beginning his professional career in 2004 with the Cobh Ramblers in Ireland, Falvey has played in New Zealand, India, Canada and the United States.

“I’m very excited to be coming back to a club and a city that have always shown me great support,” commented Falvey. “Ottawa Fury FC is an organization I have massive respect for, and with Julian and Nikola steering the ship, I will have no problem giving my utmost in trying to repay the club’s confidence in me by going one better than 2015. I look forward to playing my part in trying to bring a championship to the Canadian capital.”

Fury FC currently has the following players under contract for the 2018 season:

Goalkeepers (2)

Maxime Crépeau (CDN)

Callum Irving (CDN)

Defenders (4)

Nana Attakora (CDN)

Eddie Edward (CDN)

Colin Falvey (IRL)

Onua Obasi (ENG)

Midfielders (6)

Gerardo Bruna (ARG/ESP)

Jamar Dixon (CDN)

Sergio Manesio (ENG)

Kevin Oliveira (CPV)

Jimmy Sanon (CDN)

Maxim Tissot (CDN)

Forwards (4)

Steevan Dos Santos (CPV)

Carl Haworth (CDN)

Azake Luboyera (UGA)

Sito Seoane (USA/ESP)

Ottawa Fury FC opens training camp on January 29 ahead of the club’s fifth season. Fury FC will open the 2018 USL season on March 17 in Charlotte against the Independence, and will host North Carolina FC on April 21 at TD Place in their 2018 Home Opener.